Listener Response: Taking the Big Leap

Two thousand years ago, an extra day was added to the month of February with the transition from the Roman to the Julian calendar. For many, February 29th is an auspicious day for eschewing the status quo and taking risks. Today, The Takeaway asks listeners what "leaps" they've taken in their own lives. The question generated lots of responses, including the stories of some that took leaps in their career or personal lives.

Susan Henault is a listener from Pittsburgh who took one of the biggest leaps imaginable after the death of her son.

On 29 February 2000 I proposed to the man I loved by creating a puzzle (he is a fantastic crossword puzzle person). The solution was a four word phrase 'typical of this date'. While he assumed the solution had the phrase 'leap year' in it, suddenly he went pale when he realized it was 'will you marry me?'. It was a fortuitous leap for us - we've been married for 12 wonderful years now. Thank you.